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Rumour: Dead Space 4 Cancelled Following Poor DS3 Sales [EA: "Patently False"]
- Thread starter V_Ben
- Start date
schwabdizzle
Banned
That is a shame I loved all 3 games.
I liked the game until things went downhill when I reached Tau Volantis.
Last Hearth
Member
DS3 was a fine game.
The problem was not DS3, the problem is with the entire industry's business model. If making a game that quality of DS3 requires the kind of money that one had to sell 5 million copies to turn a profit, then that venture is doomed before it began.
Development costs of these "cinematic" games are simply too high, and the business model is not sustainable. The entire AAA industry is build around building another COD-like IP.
The problem was not DS3, the problem is with the entire industry's business model. If making a game that quality of DS3 requires the kind of money that one had to sell 5 million copies to turn a profit, then that venture is doomed before it began.
Development costs of these "cinematic" games are simply too high, and the business model is not sustainable. The entire AAA industry is build around building another COD-like IP.
Dead Space 3 wasn't a bad game, but the series could use a refresher. It's strayed away from what made the original so great and has become a slightly above-average action game with DS3.
The microtransactions in Dead Space 3 are completely inoffensive. I didn't touch them at all and was still completely over-stocked with resources by the end of the game. Anyone that actually throws money at these things are only ruining their own experience.
The microtransactions in Dead Space 3 are completely inoffensive. I didn't touch them at all and was still completely over-stocked with resources by the end of the game. Anyone that actually throws money at these things are only ruining their own experience.
grimshawish
Banned
EA tells us.
marjo
Member
"Weapon-specific ammo was allegedly switched for generic ammo late in development, too, as a method for shoehorning in the game's controversial micro-transactions."
I wouldn't consider making the game worse inoffensive.
Meccanical
Member
I believe everything EA says.
Nah seriously we should wait
This worries me as well. People bitch about EA, but they are a business and they take massive amounts of risk to fund these games. If they aren't profitable then they can't make them. I'm concerned that increased costs will cause these big budget titles to become too similar to one another and overall just not profitable for the required risk.
There may not be enough horror fans to support a big budget horror game anymore. Next gen is kind of scary. i thought the new consoles would reinvigorate the market, but i'm not so sure now.
Edit: this rumor being false would be excellent. Fuck the haters. DS, even 3, is a great game and i'd rather have the DS3's than no DS at all.
WickedCobra03
Member
Great, I am elated, but... EA is not going to learn anything of it, like why it actually failed, EA will just blame developers for making a bad game. I feel like it has more to do with crappy microtransactions, forcing co-op to see all of the levels, and now is an action game instead of leaning more towards horror that was basically laid out by EA initiatives more than anything. Did it have an online pass? If so, another reason I am glad it failed.
I have a brand new copy of Dirt3 that I am playing right now and it is bugging me for a VIP Pass at every corner, but I just don't feel like putting it in because I really don't want to play online or use the Youtube feature, but it is getting sooooo annoying about asking "hey, are you sure you don't want to enter that online pass? Oh, you don't have one, let me guide you on your way to buying one from us" around every menu option/prompt. I am just about to give up on the game as a whole. It is not that I cannot enter the code, it is the principal, and at this point, I want to just see how annoyed someone would get if they didn't have one, or like me, just don't want to enter it because I am only in it for the single player...
I have a brand new copy of Dirt3 that I am playing right now and it is bugging me for a VIP Pass at every corner, but I just don't feel like putting it in because I really don't want to play online or use the Youtube feature, but it is getting sooooo annoying about asking "hey, are you sure you don't want to enter that online pass? Oh, you don't have one, let me guide you on your way to buying one from us" around every menu option/prompt. I am just about to give up on the game as a whole. It is not that I cannot enter the code, it is the principal, and at this point, I want to just see how annoyed someone would get if they didn't have one, or like me, just don't want to enter it because I am only in it for the single player...
Auto_aim1
MeisaMcCaffrey
This seems to be fake. US PR for EA has denied this.
https://twitter.com/gamasutra/status/308965374483898369
https://twitter.com/gamasutra/status/308965374483898369
Coffee Dog
Banned
I'm only just now reading this thread, but I don't get how anyone can think this. Bioware's problems come from sloppy writing and in the case of the first two mass effects, incredibly clunky gameplay. I don't see any real "EA influence" there, all that happened was the money made them lazy.
Fuck you, Mirror's Edge could never have been a 10$ game. It's people like YOU who are ruining the game industry, not the suits.
Well, it could be that EA was the one who demanded a 3rd person shooter RPG (becuz shooters be cool, AMIRITE?!?!!) whereas maybe Bioware would rather have made something more akin to KOTOR. Though yeah, it was Bioware who actully couldn't develop anything more than a mediocre 3rd person shooter, so that blame lies in them.
None of these reasons are why it didn't sell 5 million copies. It didn't sell as much as EA wanted because a Dead Space game was never going to sell that much.
Mauricio_Magus
Banned
I don't buy EA games because I respect an love gaming. I played and enjoyer DS 1-2(friend had them), when I heard the microtransaction crap and the focus in action with real weapons... Sigh
we.are.the.armada
Member
No way... I think that everybody needs forgiveness and a chance to make things right, especially the company that made Dead Space 3.
Yes, people who want value for their dollar are ruining the game industry. Oh don't worry, they added a timer! Infinite replayability!
Dr. Zoidberg
Member
As much as we complain about sequelitis, aren't 3 games (+ spin offs) in a series enough? I don't think this is necessarily a bad thing, regardless of the reasons.
Aquamarine
Member
Well of COURSE they're going to deny it. They're PR----their job is to spin things in the best possible light to deflect criticism.
That doesn't mean something's not going on, or that EA isn't preparing for some internal restructuring.
EA does not want their shares falling just yet.
Stumpokapow
listen to the mad man
Well the rumour in the OP seems like one of those convenient ones--it takes known, verified information (reshuffling at Visceral Montreal / possible closure) and combines it with plausible speculation (Dead Space 3 sales, Dead Space 4 cancellation), things-that-make-readers-feel-like-they-were-right (shoehorned microtransactions, corners cut on Dead Space 3), and thing that we knew but that when stated in this way support the narrative (told to focus on action over horror in DS3).
I mean, that doesn't mean it's not true and I actually don't think this denial means it's not true either, but certainly it has the structure of a rumour that could easily turn out to be false.
We might find out sooner than later.
Their CFO is presenting at the Wedbush conference tomorrow and someone is likely to ask.
Killing_Joke
Member
Don't believe their lies.
That's cool. A little unspecific but cool.
AranhaHunter
Banned
DS 1 was great
DS2 was disappointing
DS3 I passed on it
DS2 was disappointing
DS3 I passed on it
SolidSnakex
Member
EA also gave GI a response to the rumor, but it's nowhere near as aggressive as their statement to Gamasutra
http://www.gameinformer.com/b/news/archive/2013/03/05/rumor-dead-space-4-canceled.aspx
http://www.gameinformer.com/b/news/archive/2013/03/05/rumor-dead-space-4-canceled.aspx
Omegasquash
Member
Heh. I knew it was coming, and it was (I felt) a clear homage to the Thing, which is probably one of my favorite movies. I came at the game biased in favor of it, and I feel right. It's just another part of the DS "world."
There's stuff I like and stuff I don't much care for, but nothing that I outright despise.
WickedCobra03
Member
These mirror perfectly my own sentiments. Side note, I was even thinking of going back and playing Dead Space 1 on my PS3 at some point in the near future, but kind of just want to wait until next Halloween, I dunno.
EDIT: And I would really like to hear more about this story now that EA was so quick to get back and deny this rumor, which is fine because it is only a rumor, but this rumor does seem pretty plausible. Now I am just waiting for internal leaks and such that we hopefully will get.
not scary at all, because we'll be talking, joking and laughing all the time. Just the nature of co-op. the idea would work only if you disable all means of communication which isn't possible.
I've tried System Shock 2 co-op briefly with my partner the other day, wasn't scary at all. And I almost can't play SS2 alone.
MichaelEM3
Banned
I'm sure they've all been moved onto making DLC for Army of Two 3.
That may very well be true but I still say that the devs are still responsible for the direction of their games. That is unless a contractual agreement says otherwise. Maybe someone with some knowledge on the subject can shed some light on how much (or little) developers control the direction of their games?
dancrane212
Member
I don't think they'd abandon the IP at the drop of a hat, they spent a lot of resources building up the "Dead Space" name to just throw it all away.
I could see EA going in a different direction with the games though, like that rumor from a few years ago that said they wanted a Dead Space FPS, Uncharted-style game and a space combat game.
I could see EA going in a different direction with the games though, like that rumor from a few years ago that said they wanted a Dead Space FPS, Uncharted-style game and a space combat game.
Auto_aim1
MeisaMcCaffrey
EU PR declined to give a comment to sites like EG, CVG, etc. Gamasutra is a US website.
all this new twitter update means, if it is true, is that they haven't specifically cancelled a game they never announced. They could still never announce it which would be just as good as cancelling it.
Also, just fuck dead space. Dead Space 4? 4? Really, is that a series that needs 4 titles?
Also, just fuck dead space. Dead Space 4? 4? Really, is that a series that needs 4 titles?
Dead Space was a special game. Two was meh in comparison and I won't be giving Three a chance because of the direction they chose to take the series in.
EA needs to learn steady, linear growth for a franchise is the most sustainable growth model. You can't expect to shun fans by changing core game play mechanics from one game to the other without offending fans of the original. Your going to lose fans meaning either the new customers you attract is negligible because fans are leaving the series or your feeble efforts result in a net loss because nobody gives a shit about your franchise.
The Souls series should be the model all games not of mega blockbuster status imitate.
Dead Space wasn't destined to be a five million seller. Maybe a four million seller by creating goodwill from fans of the first, invest brand loyalty to the franchise, and effective advertising for acquiring new customers. Realistically, Dead Space 3 should have been projected at 3.5 million sales and budgeted accordingly.
I'm not sure who the source is for that article but much of it is completely false based on my knowledge.
Heart Attack
Member
I think they should shelve the IP for a couple of years. 3 Dead Space games in 5 years is too much. I'll be picking up the 3rd game once it's cheap.
Vire
Member
Greatly exaggerated?
Implying that there was some validity to this?